¶201] The end of it was that the fort of Oilill the Fair was captured and destroyed. The host was divided in three divisions thereafter: a third was set apart to attend specially to Meave; a third put under Fergus, who went to Dun Engan Moor for the Maol Flidais; and remaining third under Lugaid, son of Curoi, who proceeded to Glen Mughaighe, where a large number of the chiefs of the men of Ireland were destroyed by the Gamhanraidh, to drive away the cattle.
¶202] It was then that Donald Yellowlocks heard of the battle having been fought, of his son with his chiefs having been slain, his fort destroyed, and his cattle and wealth and wives carried away by the Irishmen. And he began to lament his son and to declare his praises, and said:—
- A great calamity the death of Oilill,
The high king of the west of Elga,
Multitudes are in sorrow;
Mighty his arm in times of stress.- The right to spacious Ireland,
Was his among kings and lords,
His cattle and great wealth
Were carried away hastily.
- Goodly the palace of the king of numerous hosts;
Goodly his household bold and brave;
Many cups and goblets,
East, west, throughout his palace.- Four hundred and twenty
Battalions active and nimble,
Those who were ranked there,
Were all of like names.- And there were as many again
Who bore different names.
[gap: extent: one line]
[gap: extent: one line]- Good his fortune and his reign,
His troops and his glorious men;
To him no dishonour clung,
His household was very numerous,Great.
¶203] As to Fergus: he proceeded forthwith, accompanied by herdsmen and guides from Flidais, to seek the Maol and rouse her up. They went by Lake Letriach and came to the deep dell in which the Maol was put with her large herds, to avoid the hosts and to escape from the numerous troops. Fergus sent his men to gather the cattle quickly together, and they speedily collected the herds and cattle. They found the Maol Flidais lying down. And they were ordering her to rise. She refused. They again urged her vehemently, and still she did not rise. They were pressing her hard for the third time, but they could not remove her from where she lay. Then Fergus approached, for he was amazed at the behaviour of the crowd as they stood over her in the resting-place. And when he heard of the state of matters, he
- Rise, marvellous cow,
Maol Flidais whose milk is sweet;
Leave Erris with its rough furze,
For it never provided pasture fit for you,
On its red(?) precipices,
Only your devotion to Ailill (made it endurable);
Your herdsmen were beguiled,
While he lorded it there.
Seeing that the warrior no longer lives,
Your days of plenty(?) are also gone.
Remain no longer on these cold hills
But accompany us on our royal road,
To Cruachan of the green haughs.
For the wife of Ailill also comes,
With us on this journey;
And if report be true,
You and she came together out of fairy dwellings.
I shall declare the terms
Which Fergus now offers you,
Magh Aei where ‘Whitehorn’ dwells will be your home,
To feed upon and consort with him;
Over its kingly knolls and swards, surrounded by your numerous (subject) herds
Lonely(?) and joyless your devotion now that Ailill is gone.
If you fear
[...]
the weapons of Fergus,
Bide not the wrath of the stout son of Ros,
But rise at my bidding.
¶204] The (Maol Flidais) left her dwelling without further delay at Bricne's solicitation. The Dubloinges gathered the herds speedily, and drove them in front by Lake Letriach to the round knolls of Glen Mughaighe to meet Meave and Oilill and the sturdy chefs of the kindly host.
¶205] As to Luigdech, son of Curoi, and the third of the men of Ireland's host: they harried the whole of Southern Erris from Letter (slope) Fidach to Glen Mudhaighe. And they experienced very great hardship in these forays. For Muiredach the Stammerer, son of Oilill the Fair, and the clans of Finn and the chivalry of the Gamhanraidh from every part of Cruachan Oighle caught them up. And they slew many of the chiefs of their people, as also Senchan the Little and Senchan the Big and two cow-lords of Meave's people, and they were able to carry along with them only small remnants(?) of the herds to the (camp of the) Irish host.
¶206] The men of Ireland made their chief camp there. And Muiredach the Stammerer pursued Lugaid son of Curoi that night to the very centre of the Irish camp, and continued
- Legan Drai!
Many will mourn for him;
I promised him when coming to his death,
That he would reach his home again.- Alas! never more shall Legan return
To his own house again;
Our musician and our wizard,
Whom we also made our sage.- For his weight of red gold,
I would not part with the master of the delightful arts.
But now, day and night under red clay,
And mould over his pale cheek.- When Muiredach the Stammerer came,
He wounded fatally the sage;
Often did he sing a song to me,
He was my darling, Legan Drai.Legan Drai.
¶207] The adventures of the great Cet son of Magach are given here. He remained on the field behind the men of Ireland,
¶208] Then Donald Yellowlocks with his stout troops from Dun Tuath joined in the pursuit to avenge the high king Ailill the Fair on the veterans of Ireland. He sent messengers everywhere urging the Gamhanraidh to follow him to avenge Oilill the Fair. He himself did not wait for their reply, but went forward in close, persistent pursuit of the men of Ireland until he reached the place where Oilill, Fergus, Meave, and all the chiefs of the men of Ireland were, arranged in orderly battalions, after Fergus and the chiefs of Ireland, with the (collected) plunder and booty and the Maol Flidais, joined them. Now Meave thought that they could not be tracked or followed in leaving the country on that march, seeing that Oilill the Fair alone fell, and that her covenant with the Gamhanraidh was so firm.
¶209] As to the Gamhanraidh. After they heard of the fate of their lord, they did not keep their compact with the troops, but proceeded (at once) to avenge him. Donald Yellowlocks was the first to overtake (the Irish host) with his pack of hounds along with it. These eagerly attacked the hosts so that the
¶210] Fergus compelled the whole of those who fought and harassed them to retreat, and then they deliberated as to their journey and marches, their routes and [...]. They all proceeded to leave Erris-Domnann without delay. Fergus and the Dubloinges kept in the rear of the men of Ireland. They were not long on the march when they saw Donald's banners gleaming red in pursuit of them. The Gamhanraidh went and joined him at one place in quivering and blazing-venomous battalions to avenge Oilill the Fair on the men of Ireland. Fergus urged the Dubloinges to make all haste to meet Donald. The Dubloinges stoutly opposed the Gamhanraidh in order to prevent the effective force of the pursuers from getting at the men of Ireland, and (thus) to maintain the honour of Fergus. They attacked Donald in a body, and in the first brush hurled a battle spear at the stout warrior. He, without moving from the spot on which he stood, raised his shield, and the broad battle spear with sure aim hit the great shield. The mighty king's followers met that charge, and hurled weapons without numbers and with deadly aim against the Ulster men.
¶211] Then Fergus in a loud voice ordered his soldiers not to exchange weapons or blades with the enemy, but to leave him and Donald to make a stout fight on that spot, seeing that it was by his hand that Donald's son fell. Fergus's people then gave way, and the Gamhanraidh were also forced to cease aiding Donald. They cleared a broad, tramped-down space for the heroes on which to fight, for Fergus was anxious to ward off Donald's bold, sternly-venomous might from the men of Ireland at that juncture, and Donald was eager to make a fierce onslaught on Fergus in revenge of Oilill the Fair. Each hurled his battle-weapons furiously at the other as was the habit of the champions, but the weapons made no impression on them because of the proof of their armour and their breast-coverings. Then the (two) battle-soldiers
¶212] Great vast wonder seized the men of Ireland on seeing those two might men parting (in this manner). They moved forward without delay to the hill of Dun Engan and to Glen Cruach, with all the Gamhanraidh in pursuit and committing great slaughter upon them. Thus the Gamhanraidh acted on their march: they carried with them the heads of all the men of Ireland who they slew, leaving their bodies behind, until they reached the glen in which the men of Ireland camped. And no sooner were they there than the pursuers were upon them in front and rear, fiercely attacking them. They made a heap of the men of Ireland's heads there, whence the name (of the place), Heap of the Heads. That night was passed there in great anxiety.
¶213] They fared forth early on the morrow, and Meran the warrior overtook them. He engaged the heroes with zest, and slew many soldiers, among them Legan, son of Lusg [...], a worthy warrior of Oilill and Meave's army, whence the name the Stream of Legan. They marched from that place in great anxiety to the slope of the hill of Finn, where Caillderg son of Lilach overtook them. This man attacked them with great violence, as if he were the only one who engaged in the pursuit, for not a mighty chief of Ireland's men met him but fled before him. And Buinne Beimennach (Blow-dealer), a battle warrior of Oilill and Meave's people, went forth to withstand and engage him. The two fought in the view of the men of Ireland on that field until Buinne Beimennach fell by the hand of the son of Lilach on that spot.
¶214] The men of Ireland left that place, and they did not halt on that march until they encamped in Glen-da-Aran on that
¶215] The men of Ireland heard this, and dread and great fear took hold of them all. They made little progress on that day, the Gamhanraidh harassed them so, and they encamped at the north end of Conloch that night. They sent Cormac Conloinges and Lugaid son of Curoi with a number of the Irish warriors to explore the road on which they marched out of the country, and to find out whether there was a mustering or gathering in pursuit of them from that quarter. They were so sorely pressed that night that they were obliged to tie the Maol Flidais to a pillar by the door of Meave's tent. The scouts returned early on the morrow, and informed them that the whole force of the Gamhanraidh were on the level ground at the head of Conloch, and the news reduced them all to silence.
¶216] They held counsel, and resolved to keep the front of their booty and battalions towards the path which the champions guarded, as if to show (the enemy) that the whole of their assembled force were to march in the direction (but meanwhile)
¶217] They had not proceeded far on that march when the Gamhanraidh became aware of this manoeuvre, and their scouts made known their escape. The Gamhanraidh then furiously pursued the men of Ireland. But they hardly made up with the troops until they reached Mag Bron, because of the deception practised upon them. Many of their warriors overtook them there, and inflicted great slaughter on the men of Ireland, which was a cause of grief and sorrow to their chiefs, whence the name of the place—‘Field of Sorrow’.
¶218] As to the men of Ireland: they proceeded in vast numbers to Red Stream. And they did not wait for the rear to come up, but plunged forthwith into the river, so that a vast number of their women and children were drowned and lost. Only their strong men and battle chiefs and principal champions and cavalry were able to ford the river. And their losses since the time they carried the Maol Flidais away cannot be reckoned.
¶219] As to Fergus: he marched in the rear of the host, accompanied by the Dubloinges. The last of them were
¶220] Meave summoned marvellous courage when she perceived the confused state of matters under the chiefs. She kept in the rear of the stout warriors. The Gamhanraidh were vigorously pressing the pursuit with the view to reach and to crush Meave. She did not blench or shrink from the situation, but kept her place valiantly in front of the hosts who needed her help so much that she did not find opportunity [gap: extent: seven lines left untranslated] so that Lecan became the name of that ground and spot thereafter. She then quickly entered her chariot, took her place gallantly among the warriors, and firmly kept step in the line.
¶221] The men of Ireland thereupon marched without delay, the Gamhanraidh fiercely pursuing them. Donald Yellowlocks
¶222] They proceeded in the track of the retreating party closely pursuing them, and the host never experienced greater hardships than in the retreat from the strand of Ros airgid (silvern). Nevertheless they endured every calamity and loss that befel them until the darkness of night came to them. They encamped that night in great anxiety in the north of the land of Corann, and were obliged to tie the Maol Flidais to a pillar of stone, the knoll being called ‘Maol's Knoll’ ever after. The Gamhanraidh surrounded
¶223] Muiredach the Stutterer son of Oilill made a rush in front of the mighty host, and found by chance Flidais and her female attendants there. He carried her away with him forthwith. And he let the hosts past until he reached the centre of the men of Ireland's camp, where he reached the centre of the men of Ireland's camp, where he found the Maol Flidais tied to the pillar. He instantly loosed. He then sent word to the Gamhanraidh to cease fighting, and forbidding further pursuit. He told them how he found Flidais and the Maol Flidais with the booty. The Gamhanraidh thereupon ceased their attack, and the pursuit came to an end. And the chiefs of the men of Ireland proceeded with Meave to Cruachan.
¶224] Muiredach the Stutterer and the chiefs of the Gamhanraidh, with Flidais and her women-folk and her herds, turned back west on the same road on which they came, until they reached the place where Donald Yellowlocks fell. And thus they found him, with a band of his attached people and devoted friends around him keeping guard over him. They all encamped around him there that night. They build a turf grave over him early on the morrow. And Muiredach the Stutterer composed an elegy upon him and said:—
- Sad the fate of Donald Yellowlocks,
From Dun Tuaith without his forces,
His pursuit of the foray, unsupported,
Caused his speedy death.- Donald ought not to have braved
The great Dubloinges of Meave;
His death was a cruel deed,
A loss to those who loved him.- The mighty lord of Erris delayed not,
Until we could have joined him in the strife;
Woe to the king who waits not for his troops,
Before engaging in stern warfare
- Ailill (fell) before his father,
Of the death revealed to him,
That he would die
[...]
Without aid from his warriors.- Through Oilill the Fair, the husband of Flidais,
Met his death in his dread career,
Greater to us the loss of Donald
Through enmity and pride;- Woe to those who went on that quest,
Where fell the noble warrior;
To be lifeless in the slaughter,
The foray was indeed a disastrous one.Sad.
¶225] When they had completed the grave of the battle-soldier and raised a [...] pillar (in his memory), they moved forward quickly until they reached the Ford of Lecan that day. They encamped there quite worn out. And they went over their exploits and their sufferings, and the story of the raid and the pursuit, upon which the poet composed the following quatrains:—
- Here was fought a valorous fight,
It was featful, above the fair
[...]
Fierce and dexterous
[...]
it was,
Over the raid of fair Flidais's red cows.- Goodly the Maol, great her
[...]
Her produce exceeded that of every other,
Fifty boys, with three hundred valorous heroes,
Would be fed by her milk.- The host was divided in three,
(The chiefs surrounded the cattle),
A third of brilliant Leinstermen,
A third of fighting Ulstermen.- The remaining third were Connaught men,
Powerful like a flood the warriors;
Although the roll of praise were closed,
(Still) would be found fiery warriors by the sea.
- The cow was lying on the ground;
A great chief found the herd;
Thrice were efforts made to rouse her,
The host could not accomplish it.- Then came Fergus himself,
A fierce impetuous dragon of goodly presence;
He looked south, he looked north,
He stood up when he struck the Maol.- Fergus struck the hummel cow
Thrice in the presence of this host;
Her low and moan were heard
East, south, and north.- Strenuous arm and mighty hand,
Keen in vigorous onslaught;
Hacked carcases under red clay,
Beyond a river of the west.- Donald's hound sped from his castle,
With fifty relentless hounds following;
She destroyed the prince's stately chariot,
She slew his truly generous charioteer.- Fergus killed the slim hound,
With the polished spear that pierced her head
On the field above the glen,
The son of Roich's horses were slaughtered.- Then came the
[...]
Donald,
Tough and strong as an oak was he;
There with matchless strength he discharged
A hundred deadly shots in quick succession.- Fergus made a mighty, powerful thrust
At the featful
[...]
Donald;
'Let the hosts be restrained from impetuous blow
Let us two fight it out ruthlessly.'- They fought where they stood,
Equal in valour, equal in arms;
A marvel it was, no blood on their body,
No wound was found on either.- As they thrust vigorously,
And charged strenuously;
And soon (it ended), as we judged,
In the glen by Heap-of-heads.
- Meran ran through the fight,
A flow (of sweat) from his visage;
He wielded a heavy club, rough the shiver,
He slew Legan by the stream.- Boinne from the hill was slain,
His blows did not lack force,
On the slope of the woody hill of Finn,
He fell by the hand of the fierce son of Lilach.- They fought other fights equally glorious,
Above
[...]
They made a bright large camp,
In the glen above spacious Aran.- They chose their camp with knowledge,
On the slope above the seaport to the south:
They place troops with sure judgment
On the precipitous side of Loch Cuile.- The mighty chiefs were forceful men,
The mould of their graves was bloody,
Terrible was the deed of the son of Roich,
Fair, specious, stern.
[gap: extent: one line]
[gap: extent: one line]
On the one spot
[...]
Let him lie alone after the hosts (have departed).- They departed stealthily soon after,
It was a great confused movement;
They marched in fear and trembling,
Across the ford of Lecan, across the Moy.- Seven battalions the number of the host,
With Fergus son of Roich who commanded them:
They fought many a fight,
Against the braves mustered here.Here.
¶226] The Gamhanraidh placed Muiredach the Stutterer on his father's throne thereafter. And some learned persons say that he had Flidais with him there for a season; and that she, with the Maol Flidais in her train, went to Lake Letriach to hide her secret. And nothing is known of her from that day to this. Thus far then the Raid of Flidais's cows and the Pursuit thereof.